Macbeth Act III

Prepare to Read Conflict: the struggle between two forces External Conflict: a struggle between two characters or groups Internal Conflict: a struggle within a character Climax: the point at which the internal and external conflicts are greatest. Dramatic Irony: occurs when the words or actions of a character take on a meaning for the audience or readers different from the one the character intends.

Vocabulary Indissoluble: not able to be dissolved or undone Infirmity: physical or mental defect; illness Dauntless: fearless; cannot be intimidated Malevolence: ill will; spitefulness Jocund: cheerful; jovial

Act III about the selection Act III marks a turning point in the action. Up until now, things have gone very much the way Macbeth had planned. However, his sense of insecurity leads him to fear Banquo and his offspring. When his plan to murder Banquo and his son is only partially successful, a series of events is set in motion, leading to Macbeth’s downfall.

Act III Audio Book http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3poDyjzocLw

Critical Viewing #1.) After wielding a dagger like this against Duncan, can Macbeth expect to rule in peace?

Possible Answers Macbeth has begun his reign in blood and violence; he cannot expect to rule in peace.

Reading Between the lines Regarding Banquo’s speech in lines 1-10, consider what threat Banquo poses to Macbeth. Why might Banquo have kept the information about the witches to himself?

Possible answers Banquo poses a threat because if he tells what he knows, he might cast suspicion on Macbeth. He may have kept the information to himself to use to his advantage, or he may have been afraid that telling others might implicate him in the murder. After all, he was promised that his descendants would be kings.

Do you think either is sincere? Consider the text Macbeth is cordial and invites Banquo to a feast. Banquo, in turn, pledges loyalty. Do you think either is sincere?

Understanding the text In lines 18 and following, Macbeth questions Banquo about his afternoon ride, when and where he is going. Why would Macbeth want to know this?

answer Macbeth is worried about Banquo and wants to keep an eye on him. Some may even suspect additional foul play.

Reading Check #2.) What does Banquo suspect about Macbeth?

answer Banquo suspects that Macbeth was involved in foul play to bring about what the witches prophesied.

Interpret Look at lines 29-32. The term cousin in the Elizabethan period meant kinsman, not necessarily an actual cousin. * Who are the “bloody cousins” referred to by Macbeth? What do we learn about these “cousins”?

Answer Duncan’s sons are the “bloody cousins” because they are rumored to have plotted their father’s murder. We learn that they have reached England and Ireland and are telling “lies” – which, coming from the actual murderer, Macbeth, means they are probably telling the truth.

Analyze Macbeth’s soliloquy: Lines 49-57 – Lines 57-72 – It reveals that Macbeth fears Banquo. Lines 57-72 – Macbeth reveals his resentment of the prophecy that Banquo’s descendants, not his own, will sit on the throne in the future.

Infer In lines 75-84, what can you infer about what Macbeth has told these men?

Why might he have told them this? answer He appears to have told them that whatever miseries they have suffered can be blamed on Banquo. Why might he have told them this?

answer He wanted to give them a reason to murder Banquo, to motivate them in a way that would make them feel that they would be solving a problem of their own.

Reading strategy: Reading between the lines #3.) What does the first murderer mean in line 91 when he answers Macbeth, “We are men”?

answer The murderer means that they, as men, would not let such an outrage go unpunished, which echoes Lady Macbeth’s earlier views that it is manly to kill someone who stands in your way.

Reading Check #4.) Why does Macbeth fear Banquo?

answer Macbeth fears Banquo because Banquo knows about the prophecies and might be suspicious. Also, if Banquo’s descendants will be kings, Macbeth will have no heir on the throne. Both things are a threat to Macbeth.

Literary analysis: Conflict A conflict can have both internal and external dimensions at the same time. #5.) What conflict does Macbeth express in lines 116-126?

answer The external conflicts are between Macbeth and Banquo and between Macbeth and public opinion. An internal conflict, though not directly stated, may be existing between Macbeth and his fear.

Conflict Do you believe the reasons Macbeth gives for not killing Banquo himself? What reasons might he really have for not wanting to kill Banquo himself?

Possible answers Macbeth’s reasons are partially true, because he would lose friends and allies. However, his having the power is doubtful, because none of the things Macbeth has said about Banquo are true. His real reason is that he wants to look innocent of the murder. He also may be concerned about getting injured if he attacks Banquo alone.

Analyze Line 134-139 Macbeth refers to Banquo’s son, Fleance, almost as if he were an afterthought. How important is Fleance’s death to Macbeth and why?

answer Fleance’s death is very important. The witches said that Banquo would father kings. While Banquo’s death is necessary to make Macbeth feel safe, Fleance’s death is necessary if Macbeth wants to have his own sons inherit the throne.

Reading strategy: reading between the lines #6.) In Scene ii, lines 4-7, What has Lady Macbeth realized about her actions?

answer Lady Macbeth is realizing that they have paid a very high price for desires that have left them discontented and worried. Her feelings reflect something of the uncertainty that Macbeth is feeling, but with a difference. She is beginning to sound doubtful about their actions. In showing uncertainty, she has now changed places with Macbeth. He was doubtful before Duncan’s murder, now she is. We already know more than Lady Macbeth does – that Macbeth has ordered the murder of Banquo and Fleance. Macbeth is now evilly in charge.

In lines 22-23, who does Macbeth say is sleeping better? Analyze Shakespeare often makes use of the comparison between sleep and death. It was a relatively common comparison of biblical origin. However, Shakespeare uses it masterfully as a thread throughout the play. In lines 22-23, who does Macbeth say is sleeping better?

Answer The murdered Duncan sleeps better than he does.

Reading Check #7.) What does Macbeth ask the murderers to do?

answer Macbeth asks the murderers to kill Banquo and his son, Fleance.

Critical Viewing #8.) This artist depicts Sarah Siddons (1755-1831) playing Lady Macbeth. How does Mrs. Siddon’s body language suggest the same inner conflict as do lines 4-7 in Act III, ii?

answer The clasped hands and sad expression suggest the insecurity and unhappiness in lines 4-7 of scene ii.

Literary analysis: conflict and irony Remember: Dramatic irony occurs when the words or actions of a character take on a meaning different from the one the character intends. #9.) What is ironic about Macbeth’s idea about disguising the couple’s real conflict with Banquo (Scene ii, lines 30-35)?

answer It is ironic that Macbeth is telling Lady Macbeth that they need to disguise their feelings, because he is in the process of having Banquo murdered.

Reading Strategy: reading between the lines #10.) To what specific action do you think Macbeth is indirectly referring in lines 45-56?

answer Macbeth is referring to his plot to have Banquo and Fleance killed. Why might Macbeth have chosen to keep his plans for Banquo’s murder from Lady Macbeth?

answer He may feel that she would give him away at the banquet that night. He might not trust anyone at this point. Perhaps he wants to impress her by carrying out this act without urging from her. Maybe he fears that she is losing her “nerve”

Notice: A third murderer enters Speculate Notice: A third murderer enters Why would Macbeth send a third murderer?

answer He m ay not have trusted the first two. He might have thought the others weren’t strong enough to take on Banquo, who is a great soldier. The identity of the third murderer has been the subject of debate among scholars for centuries. Some suggest it might be a messenger from the witches, someone sent by Macbeth, or even Macbeth himself in disguise. Whoever Shakespeare had in mind, the third murderer works primarily as a plot device to show Macbeth’s growing fear and mistrust.

Reading check #11.) What does Macbeth tell Lady Macbeth and what does he hold back from her?

answer Macbeth tells Lady Macbeth that something will happen to Fleance and Banquo, but he doesn’t reveal that he has plotted with murderers to have them killed.

Review of events in Scene iii A mystery murderer has joined the two hired to kill Banquo. Banquo and his son approach on horseback but dismount and walk the rest of the way to the castle. The three murderers set on them. Feance escapes and Banquo is killed. (Banquo is a great warrior and it is likely that his son is also skilled in battle.)

Review continued Fleance’s escape is important because it means that Macbeth still has an enemy to reckon with and the witches’ prophecy about Banquo’s heirs can still come true. It is the first time that one of Macbeth’s plans has gone wrong. It also means that someone has lived to tell of an attempted murder, which might lead people to doubt the original story about Duncan’s murder – especially because Banquo has probably told Fleance about the prophecies and his concerns.

Checking for meaning Worm: line 30 In Shakespeare’s day, it was often used as another word for snake.

Reading check #12.) What do the murderers fail to do?

answer The murderers fail to kill Fleance.

Reading strategy: reading between the lines #13.) How might you connect Macbeth’s agitation with his knowledge that Fleance has escaped?

answer Macbeth is concerned about the power the witches predicted for Fleance and is upset that his latest murder plot was not successful and might, therefore, be discovered.

Macbeth’s views Macbeth seems to view the murder as not human or civilized, but not particularly evil. His comments indicate that he is more unnerved by seeing ghosts than he is concerned about the immorality of his actions.

Literary analysis: conflict Remember: An external conflict is a struggle between two characters or groups, and an internal conflict is a struggle within a character. #14.) How does the incident with Banquo’s ghost convey Macbeth’s inner conflict?

answer The ghost appears when Macbeth mentions Banquo, indicating that he may be feeling guilty about Banquo’s death, or at least worried and fearful of consequences. Macbeth’s shock at the sight of the ghost reveals his agitation – both about the actions he has taken and the course of future events.

Critical viewing #15.) In what ways does the artist’s use of light and shadow suggest the conflict in Act III, scene iv?

answer The artist’s use of shadow may symbolize Macbeth’s emotional state: He attempts to stay in the light, acting the jovial host, but the shadows, Banquo’s ghost, and Macbeth’s guilty conscience keeps intruding.

Reading check #16.) Why is Macbeth startled at the feast?

answer Macbeth is startled at the feast because he sees the ghost of Banquo.

Reading strategy: reading between the lines #17.) Do Lady Macbeth’s remarks in this scene suggest that she, too, sees the ghost? Why or why not?

Possible answers It seems unlikely that lady Macbeth sees the ghost because she is too calm in making excuses, and she is too annoyed with Macbeth’s reactions, which she would understand if she had seen the ghost. Also, she was not involved in Banquo’s murder so it is likely that she would react pretty strongly to the gore-soaked image of a butchered Banquo. However, some may feel that she does see the ghost because of her own guilt.

My question to you Reread lines 131-145. Which comment lets you know that Macbeth already does not trust anyone?

answer Lines 132-133: He says he is paying servants in everyone’s households to spy for him.

Literary analysis: conflict #18.) How do lines 136-139 in Scene iv mark a turning point in Macbeth’s inner conflict?

answer Macbeth has come to the point where he feels that he will do anything to protect his position, without his previous doubts. He has reached what he himself views as the point of no return.

What events can you expect? These lines, including line 145, indicate that Macbeth will visit the witches, but it also indicates that a lot more people will be murdered. “We are but young in deed” – indicates that the killing has only just begun

Note Remember: The climax of a play is the point at which the conflict reaches its highest point, and after that the action falls as the conflicts are resolved. At this point, Macbeth’s inner conflict appears to have been resolved; he no longer seems to be slowed up by any sense of guilt or fear of consequences. The decision to resolve the external conflict has been made, as Macbeth spies on and plans to kill his enemies.

Reading check #19.) Why will Macbeth visit “the weird sisters” again?

answer Macbeth decides to visit the weird sister again to demand that they tell him more about his future, now that he has done so much.

Reading between the lines Look at lines 18-19: What does Lennox say that lets us know that he believes that Duncan’s sons are innocent?

answer His comment that, if it pleases heaven, Duncan’s sons will never be in Macbeth’s power, shows that he feels that they should not be punished.

Reading between the lines What coming action and events can you anticipate from the information in lines 24-39?

answer Macbeth will probably try to kill Macduff. Macbeth will soon face an English army, as well as unhappy Scots, in battle.